Rick Holmes: Questions for the Senate candidates

Monday

Nov 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMNov 30, 2009 at 6:19 AM

It's not easy getting a straight answer, or at least an original one, from skilled politicians running for high office. I'll be giving it my best shot on Tuesday, as one of the journalists posing the questions at the GateHouse Media/WCVB TV debate for the four Democrats seeking to fill the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

Rick Holmes

It's not easy getting a straight answer, or at least an original one, from skilled politicians running for high office. I'll be giving it my best shot on Tuesday, as one of the journalists posing the questions at the GateHouse Media/WCVB TV debate for the four Democrats seeking to fill the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.

But I'm not the only one with questions. I asked for suggestions from readers of GateHouse newspapers across Massachusetts and got more than could be asked in three debates. Here are a few of them:

* What makes you different from Ted Kennedy? What can you offer to the citizens of Masssachusetts that Ted Kennedy could not?

* What do you think about the new mammogram guidelines? To many this is the reason why the government should not be trusted to run healthcare.

* In many fields - ranging from airmail, to computers, to the Internet, the government has played a major role as a first, and very large, "anchor customer" - creating initial demand to lead the marketplace. Would you please comment on how you see the government's role in creating demand for energy from sustainable sources.

* In order to stabilize the Social Security system, would you introduce, or support, legislation to remove the cap on wages which are subject to the Social Security tax?

* Will you respect your constituents, and their time and privacy, enough to voluntarily subscribe to the do-not-call lists, or do you claim politicians' exemption?

* What is your position on renewable energy and in particular wind turbines off the Massachusetts coast?

* Health insurance premiums are rising faster in Massachusetts than the rest of the country, as a direct result of the universal health care law that includes mandated coverage for various personal and medical conditions. Based on this evidence, how can you argue that the same law applied to all of the states will somehow be a good thing?

* Can you identify a policy position of former president George W. Bush that you fully endorse?

* With regards to the health care bill (or any bill), would you vote against something that (you thought) was over all a good thing just because it carried a provision you didn't like? Why?

* Do you think Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac played a significant role in the meltdown and, if so, how would you contain that going forward?

* Why haven't you supported a bill that allows insurance companies to practice country wide rather only within certain states keeping prices monopolized and higher to consumers?

* What incentives would you support that will give small and big business a chance to grow and create new permanent jobs?

* Do you believe that President Obama's economic policies are going to work and why, and if so, on what precedent or economic theory do you base this belief?

* What will you do to reform the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) so it does not unfairly put small businesses, crafters and artisans out of business?

* As senator from Massachusetts, will you be focused on state constituents, representing and helping them, or take the Kerry route and seek national stage issues?

* I would ask why Michael Capuano has backed away from using the words single payer healthcare, and why Martha Coakley doesn't ever say it, and would plead that they find the courage to fight for what the people need.

* How will you make corporations, the auto industry and investment companies accountable for receiving bailout monies and handing out enormous bonuses to their executives?

* Why should I have to pay for other people's healthcare? Shouldn't we go back and make sure tort reform, cross-state competition, and reduction in drug costs are all part of the Obama plan before its passed?

* Will you pledge to only vote for legislative bills that are less than 20 pages?

* Why are you spending so much money for a job that pays so little in comparison?

Rick Holmes is opinion editor for the MetroWest Daily News. He can be reached at rholmes@cnc.com.

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